Transdermal device for administering testosterone or one of the derivatives thereof

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a self-adhesive transdermal device for the administration of testosterone and/or at least one of the derivatives thereof, comprising successively at least one support layer, a self-adhesive matrix layer and a detachable protective layer, whereby the matrix layer comprises at least one self-adhesive polymer, at least one formulating adjuvant for the matrix layer, at least one solvent chosen from the group made up of solvents of testosterone or the derivatives thereof and testosterone and/or at least one of the derivatives thereof in an oversaturated solution. The device has excellent testosterone permeation qualities and excellent cutaneous tolerance and adhesion qualities. The invention also relates to a method for the production of said device and the use thereof for a medicament, i.e. within the framework of a testosterone replacement therapy.

The present invention relates to a self-adhesive transdermal device for administering testosterone and/or at least one derivative thereof, to a process for preparing this device and to the use of this device for a medicinal product, especially in the context of a testosterone replacement therapy.

Transdermal devices are pharmaceutical forms which allow the percutaneous administration of certain active principles, more particularly in the context of chronic pathologies, or even as a preventive measure. Those intended for hormone replacement therapy in women have more particularly been studied in recent years, in the form of estradiol-based transdermal devices, or even devices combining estradiol with a compound with progestative action.

Along the same lines, certain devices for promoting the administration of male hormones, and essentially testosterone-based hormones, have recently appeared.

Testosterone, known under the systematic nomenclature as 17-hydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one, is the main circulating hormone of an androgenic type; under the action of 5-α-reductase, it is converted into dihydrotestosterone, the hormone responsible for sexual differentiation. Testosterone has been available for many years in the form of injectable preparations and capsules, indicated in the therapeutic treatment of male hypogonadism. These forms have many drawbacks associated either with problems of absorption (or permeation through the skin) or with poor adherence of the patient to the injection treatment. Thus, the first testosterone-based transdermal forms appeared.

Among transdermal devices, reservoir devices are generally distinguished from matrix devices. In reservoir devices, the active ingredient is contained in a gel, usually an aqueous-alcoholic gel, arranged between a support film and a control membrane. In the case of devices adhering over their entire surface, a layer of a material that is permeable to the active ingredient and adhesive—or intermediate permeation membrane—is present between the surface of the skin and the release-controlling membrane. In the other cases, this layer is at the periphery. In matrix devices, the active ingredient is contained in one or more matrix layers (generally based on self-adhesive polymers). In this case, a direct contact with the skin does not at the very least necessitate the presence of an intermediate permeation membrane.

One of the major problems concerning the transdermal administration of various active principles is the slow penetration or, in other words, the slow speed of permeation of the active principle through the skin.

This problem of permeation of the active principle through the skin is all the more crucial in the case of a testosterone replacement therapy in order to obtain the desired physiological levels, most particularly in men, in which the physiological levels to be reached are naturally higher than those in women.

Thus, it is known that the transdermal administration of testosterone in therapeutic amount in men requires either the presence of several permeation promoters in the transdermal device, or the design of a device which can only be used on the skin of the scrotum, that is to say the region of the male body where the skin is thinnest, which penalizes the adherence of the patient to the treatment.

Various publications in particular mention transdermal devices whose reservoir or matrix comprises testosterone permeation promoters.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,152,997 describes a transdermal device of reservoir type, involving a combination of several promoters, such as ethanol, methyl laurate and glyceryl monooleate. This device allows the release of about 13 μg/cm²/hr of testosterone from a patch applied to standard regions for the application of a trans-dermal device, for instance the arm, the abdomen or the back.

However, as is the case for this device of U.S. Pat. No. 5,152,997, a transdermal device comprising permeation promoters is usually of entirely unsatisfactory skin tolerance, which may be explained by an undesirable interaction of the permeation promoters with the skin.

Moreover, it is also known that the formulation of a transdermal device with a self-adhesive polymer matrix presents the problem of the stability of the testosterone in the matrix, in particular when it is desired to have a state of supersaturation of the testosterone in the matrix for a greater release of testosterone, most particularly in the context of a testosterone replacement therapy in men.

Finally, one of the specific problems of transdermal devices with a self-adhesive polymer matrix is the degree of adhesion, which must be sufficient to allow good release of the active principle, by occlusive contact with the skin.

It has now been found, entirely surprisingly and unexpectedly, that the choice of certain components makes it possible to obtain a self-adhesive transdermal device which has not only excellent properties of testosterone permeation, but also of skin tolerance and adhesion, with a view to use for a testosterone replacement therapy, especially in men.

One subject of the present invention is thus a self-adhesive transdermal device for administering testosterone and/or at least one derivative thereof, characterized in that it comprises, successively, at least, one support layer, one self-adhesive matrix layer and one detachable protective layer, said matrix layer comprising, relative to the total weight of the said matrix layer:

-   a) 40% to 80% by weight of at least one self-adhesive polymer     selected from polymers of acrylic type, with an acid number of     between 10 and 70, with an acid functionality and a glass transition     temperature of between −70° C. and −20° C.; -   b) 5% to 25% by weight of at least one formulation adjuvant for the     matrix layer selected from polymers with a number-average molecular     mass of between 2500 and 3000000; -   c) 5% to 20% by weight of at least one solvent selected from the     group consisting of solvents for testosterone and derivatives     thereof, in which the solubility of the testosterone or derivative     thereof is between 5% and 20% m/m; -   d) 2% to 10% by weight of testosterone and/or at least one     derivative thereof, as a supersaturated solution.

In particular, the acid functionality of the self-adhesive polymer is such that it has an acid number of between 10 and 70 and in particular between 30 and 50.

Preferably, an acrylic copolymer of low to medium molecular mass, that is to say a number-average molecular mass of between 200 000 and 400 000 as measured by the technique of gel permeation chromatography (GPC), will be used as self-adhesive polymer.

The acid functionality results from the presence of acrylic acid among the base monomers, giving it an acid number as measured by the standard techniques well known to those skilled in the art (especially the neutralization technique).

It should thus be understood that the self-adhesive polymer used for the matrix layer of the device according to the invention characteristically contains free carboxylic acid side groups.

Preferably, the self-adhesive polymer is a polymer of (meth)acrylic acid monomer and of at least one monomer chosen from the group consisting of C1–C6 alkyl (meth)acrylate, 2-(C1–C6 alkyl)hexyl (meth)acrylate, vinyl acetate, glycidyl (meth)acrylate and 2-hydroxy(C1–C6 alkyl) (meth)acrylate monomers.

More particularly, the self-adhesive polymer is a polymer of (meth)acrylic acid monomer and of at least one monomer chosen from the group consisting of methyl (meth)acrylate, butyl (meth)acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl (meth)acrylate, vinyl acetate, glycidyl (meth)acrylate and 2-hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylate monomers.

The self-adhesive polymer preferably has a vinyl acetate content of between 1 and 10% by weight relative to the total weight of the base monomers. Such an acrylic copolymer is, for example, Duro-Tak® 387-2052 or 87-2052 from the company National Starch & Chemical, which is a self-crosslinked adhesive available in the form of an organic solution with a theoretical density close to 0.92 g/cm³ and a Brookfield viscosity (at 25° C., 12 rpm, spindle No. 3) in the region of 2 800 mPa.s.

According to one preferred embodiment, the matrix layer of the device according to the invention is crosslinked. In particular, the self-adhesive polymer is preferably crosslinked to the extent that cohesion of the resulting matrix and thus of the device comprising it is thereby reinforced. One method for obtaining a crosslinked self-adhesive polymer for the device according to the invention is described in particular in the examples below.

Mention will be made in particular of aluminum salts such as aluminum acetylacetonate, but any other crosslinking agent known to those skilled in the art may be used.

Needless to say, the matrix layer of the device according to the invention may in particular be noncrosslinked, that is to say in particular that it is possible for the self-adhesive polymer not to be crosslinked, as illustrated in example 6 below.

Among the formulation adjuvants which may be present in the matrix layer of the device according to the invention, chosen from polymers with a number-average molecular mass of between 2 500 and 3 000 000, mention may be made of cellulose derivatives and more particularly sodium carboxymethylcellulose with a molecular mass of between 90 000 and 700 000, derivatives of alkylcellulose type, for instance hydroxyethylcellulose or hydroxypropylcellulose, high molecular weight polysaccharides and more particularly xanthan gums, and polymers of the 1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone type with a molecular mass of between 2 500 and 3 000 000.

In particular, the formulation adjuvant is preferably chosen from the group consisting of polymers of 1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone monomer, polysaccharides and cellulose derivatives, and mixtures thereof.

More specifically, the formulation adjuvant is preferably chosen from the group consisting of polyvinylpyrrolidone, xanthan gums and sodium carboxymethylcellulose, and mixtures thereof.

Preferably, polyvinylpyrrolidone, whose better solubility in alcoholic medium facilitates the dispersion in an adhesive matrix of the device according to the invention, taking into account the process described below for preparing the device according to the invention, will be used most particularly.

The solvent present in the matrix layer of the device according to the invention is a solvent for testosterone and/or derivatives thereof, preferably chosen from the group consisting of N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, 2-octyldodecanol, crotamiton, propylene glycol dipelargonate and mixtures thereof. N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide is most particularly preferred.

According to one preferred embodiment, the matrix layer of the device according to the invention is such that the self-adhesive polymer is a polymer of acrylic acid, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, vinyl acetate and butyl acrylate monomers, this polymer being crosslinked and having an acid number between 10 and 70 and also a glass transition temperature of between −100° C. and −10° C., the formulation adjuvant is polyvinylpyrrolidone with a number-average molecular mass of between 44 000 and 54 000, and the solvent is N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide.

The testosterone is present in unmodified form (17β-hydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one) in the matrix layer of the device according to the invention, or in the form of a derivative thereof.

According to the invention, the expression “testosterone derivatives” means not only its esters such as, for example, the acetate, enanthate, propionate, isobutyrate, undecanoate and cypionate forms, but also derivatives such as those containing a substituent at least in position 6α or 7α. Preferably, mention may be made of 7α-methyltestosterone, 7α-methyl-19-nortestosterone, 7α-methyl-11β-hydroxytestosterone, 7α,17-dimethyltestosterone, 7α,17-dimethyl-11β-hydroxytestosterone, 7α,17-dimethyl-19-nortestosterone, 7α,17-dimethyl-11β-hydroxy-19-nortestosterone, 6α-methyltestosterone, 6α-methyl-19-nortestosterone, 6α-methyl-11β-hydroxytestosterone, 6α,17-dimethyltestosterone, 6α,17-dimethyl-11β-hydroxytestosterone, 6α,17-dimethyl-19-nortestosterone and 6α,17-diemthyl-11β-hydroxy-19-nortestosterone.

According to one particularly preferred embodiment, the matrix layer of the device according to the invention comprises, relative to its total weight:

-   a) 63% to 73% by weight of at least one self-adhesive polymer of     acrylic acid, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, vinyl acetate and butyl     acrylate monomers, this polymer being crosslinked and having an acid     number of between 10 and 70 and also a glass transition temperature     of between −100° C. and −10° C.; -   b) 5% to 25% by weight of polyvinylpyrrolidone with a number-average     molecular mass of between 44 000 and 54 000; -   c) 9% to 15% by weight of N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide; -   d) 4% to 6% by weight of testosterone.

The matrix layer of the device according to the invention as described above may advantageously also comprise at least one antioxidant chosen from the group consisting of butylhydroxytoluene (BHT), butylhydroxyanisole (BHA), ascorbyl palmitate, α-tocopherol and its esters, citric acid and propyl gallate, and mixtures thereof.

Preferably, the antioxidant is present in the matrix layer, relative to the total weight of said matrix layer, in a proportion of between 0.1% and 2% by weight.

The support layer for the device according to the invention must be such as those generally used in the formulation of transdermal devices, that is to say occlusive and inert with respect to the constituents of the matrix layer. Among the products generally used, mention should be made of polyethylene, polypropylene and polyester films, multilayer complexes consisting of the above materials combined, for example, with thin layers of aluminum, and combinations of copolymers of vinyl acetate and of ethylene in the form of films or foam. Preferably, either a polyester support film, this film being used either directly or via a transfer principle, or a multilayer complex or low-density polyethylene type and polyvinylidene chloride, the latter then being used by transfer, will preferably be used.

Before its use, the device obviously comprises, on the matrix layer side, which is intended to be in contact with the patient's skin, a detachable protective layer which protects the adhesive matrix. This detachable protective layer must in particular be made of a material with good cutting properties and which is inert with respect to the components of the matrix; among the products most often used, mention should be made of paper, polyester and polyvinyl chloride films. Preferably, a polyester film that has been cut to shape beforehand will be used so as to facilitate its removal before use by the patient.

The transdermal device according to the invention will be contained before use in a leaktight protection of sachet type with the aid of polyethylene-aluminum complex films, or of blister type.

The matrix device according to the invention has many advantages, which may be described as follows.

Compared with the existing pharmaceutical forms, and more particularly compared with the transdermal forms already marketed, the device according to the invention is distinguished surprisingly by an excellent compromise between adhesion and skin tolerance.

This appears to result mainly from the specific characteristics of the adhesive matrix formulation per se:

-   a) the problems of testosterone solubility in the adhesive have been     solved by means of selecting constituents that are more particularly     suitable for dissolving large amounts of active principle. It has     been found to be very judicious to use the solvent power of specific     organic compounds such as DEET. In particular, it has been possible     to incorporate into a matrix patch an amount of testosterone per cm²     that is substantially equal to that present in reservoir patches,     such as the Androderm® reservoir patch sold by the company Theratech     (comparative device C2) that are generally better suited to this     constraint: -   b) as with all matrix transdermal devices, the device according to     the invention comprises a skin-patch interface largely saturated     with active principle, responsible for the transcutaneous passage     via the phenomenon of passive diffusion. Nevertheless, given the     high solubility of testosterone in solvent DEET, it was necessary to     control the manufacturing process fully, and in particular the     drying step, in order to ensure an advantageous state of     supersaturation. Now, although such a supersaturation is     conventionally encountered in the formulation of transdermal     devices, it leads in many cases to an unstable physicochemical state     of the active principle, characterized by the occurrence of     crystallization phenomena of said active principle. The selection of     formulation adjuvants, in particular of polyvinylpyrrolidone, has     considerably improved the physicochemical stability of the patch     without, however, placing the pharmacotechnical characteristics of     said patch in doubt; -   c) an important aspect of the invention is that this addition of     polyvinylpyrrolidone leads to an improvement in the tolerance of the     finished product, which is an advantage in terms of adherence of the     patient to the treatment, and of efficacy (see FIG. 5); -   d) another important aspect of the invention is that this addition     of polyvinylpyrrolidone leads to improved physicochemical stability     of the active principle in the adhesive matrix layer. Thus, this     matrix layer, whose acid nature is, in principle, unfavorable to the     stability of testosterone, is capable, surprisingly, of preserving     the degradation of the testosterone, under conditions of stability     (see FIG. 6); -   e) a particularly advantageous aspect of the invention is the     simultaneous presence of DEET and of PVP; -   f) finally, it should be noted that the spectacular performance     qualities of the matrix device according to the invention are     obtained without the need to use permeation promoters per se for the     testosterone, which, as already mentioned above, are generally more     or less well tolerated and which, given the particular conditions of     an occlusive administration, may be responsible for skin intolerance     phenomena. Thus, the device according to the invention may     advantageously be free of permeation promoter(s) per se. In     addition, the non-necessity for permeation promoters is also a     considerable advantage since these compounds are, in the majority of     cases, liable to plasticize the adhesives into which they are     incorporated and thus considerably modify their intrinsic     properties. In these cases, a person skilled in the art must employ     corrective agents of tackifying type, which are therefore not needed     either for the preparation of device according to the invention,     resulting in an advantageous saving in time and money.

The transdermal devices according to the invention are prepared according to the techniques generally used by those skilled in the art; these techniques are those of mixing, coating, drying, laminating, splitting and cutting.

A subject of the present invention is also a process for preparing the transdermal device as described above.

The process according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises the steps consisting:

-   a) in preparing, in a mixer, with stirring, a solution of     testosterone or a derivative thereof in a first manufacturing     solvent, preferably in tetrahydrofuran (THF); -   b) in incorporating, into the solution thus obtained, a second     manufacturing solvent, preferably chosen from ethanol and     isopropanol or a mixture thereof, and also the solvent for     testosterone or its derivative, which is intended to be present in     the device, preferably N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET); -   c) in gradually incorporating, with stirring, in a separate mixer of     homogenizer, the formulation adjuvant for the matrix layer,     preferably polyvinylpyrrolidone, into the self-adhesive polymer; and     then -   d) in incorporating the mixture obtained at the end of step b) into     that obtained in step c) so as to obtain a final homogeneous     mixture; and -   e) in coating the homogeneous mixture thus obtained, at a     temperature of between 50° C. and 110° C., onto a final support of     polyester type or an antiadhesive temporary intermediate support, at     a rate of from 50 to 150 g/m², this weight per unit area being     measured on the dry film; -   f) in drying the coating thus obtained, by gradual drying at a     temperature of between 50° C. and 110° C., so as to evaporate the     manufacturing solvents (for example THF and alcohol) and, where     appropriate, to allow the crosslinking of the adhesive polymer.

Variants to the process as described above are recommended and characterized by:

-   -   preparing a separate premix containing the PVP and ethanol;     -   omitting the THF and replacing it with ethanol;     -   using a drying operation of short infrared type.

Advantageously, the high solubility of testosterone in tetrahydrofuran and also the compatibility of this highly polar solvent with the main components of the formulation have been demonstrated.

Given this high solubility of testosterone in THF, which is of the order of 27% m/m, the dissolution with stirring in step a) presents no particular difficulty. Moreover, in the context of the present invention, a solution of testosterone in THF will preferably be used in order to facilitate the mixing of the active principle in the adhesive acrylic copolymer.

Step c) should lead to the preparation of a homogeneous mixture freed of all lumps, which constitutes one of the characteristics of this process. Said process may be performed at room temperature, which presents an advantage over other techniques, for example “hot melt” techniques which generally place the active principle under greater stress.

At the end of coating, the dried film is laminated onto a support film. Depending on the case, the film obtained in the above step is then transferred onto the final support selected. The coating obtained should generally undergo steps of splitting and then final cutting of the devices before packaging according to one or other of the possible systems, a sachet or a blister pack.

Finally, a [lacuna] of the present invention is also the transdermal device as described above, for its use as a therapeutically active product in a medicinal product.

One subject of the invention is, in particular, the use of the transdermal device as defined above, for preparing a medicinal product intended for a testosterone replacement therapy.

Such a medicinal product is intended for a daily, weekly or twice-weekly testosterone replacement therapy.

More particularly, a subject of the invention is the use of the transdermal device as defined above, as a medicinal product intended for treating and/or preventing hypogonadism, for treating and/or preventing andropause disorders, for treating and/or preventing sexual impotence, for treating and/or preventing fertility disorders in men, for treating and/or preventing oligospermy and, finally, for treating and/or preventing premature ejaculation.

In the text hereinbelow, the examples are intended to illustrate the present invention and in particular should not in any way be interpreted as possibly limiting its scope.

Moreover, the figures attached hereto are explained below.

FIG. 1 represents the permeation indices (PIs), also known as the “enhancement factors” for comparing in vitro the promoting effect of different products.

FIG. 2 represents the amounts of testosterone released in vitro as a function of time in the case of the various formulations of examples 1 and 2 according to the invention and of the counterexample 1.

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b represent the amounts of testosterone released ex vivo onto animal skin, either as a cumulative amount (μg/cm²) or as a flow (μg/cm²/hour) in the case of the various formulations of examples 1 and 2 according to the invention and of the counterexample 1, and in the case of a transdermal device previously known and marketed under the brand name Androderm® by the company Theratech (comparative device C3).

FIGS. 4 a to 4 d represent the amounts of testosterone released ex vivo onto human skin either as a cumulative amount (μg/cm²) or as a flow (μg/cm²/hour) in the case of the formulations of examples 1 and 2 according to the invention and of the counterexample 1, and in the case of a transdermal device previously known and marketed under the brand name Androderm® by the company Theratech (comparative device C2).

FIG. 5 represents the primary skin irritation indices for comparing as a first measure the tolerance of different formulations.

FIG. 6 represents the amounts of degradation products detected in two compositions which differ by the presence or absence of the polyvinylpyrrolidone formulation adjuvant.

FIG. 7 represents the average levels of testosterone in the plasma obtained from 5 menopausal women after administration for 24 hours of a patch according to the invention.

FIG. 8 represents the average levels of testosterone in the plasma obtained from 5 menopausal women after administration for 24 hours of two patches according to the invention.

EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of a Patch According to the Invention

72 g of testosterone and 271 g of tetrahydrofuran are introduced into a mixer and the mixture is stirred at room temperature for at least 15 minutes. Next an aliquot portion of the solution obtained is isolated, i.e. a sample of 70 g to which are added 45 g of ethanol and 38 g of DEET. This premix is stored until its next use.

413 g of acrylic copolymer sold by the company National Starch & Company under the name Duro-Tak 387–2052® are introduced into a homogenizer-mixer which is also a transfer container. Next, polyvinylpyrrolidone, sold under the name Kollidon K30 by the company BASF, is gradually added portionwise with continued stirring and under vacuum. The polyvinypyrrolidone is not readily soluble in the solvent medium of the acrylic copolymer and, at this stage in the manufacture, it is found that the addition of the initial premix significantly improves the ability of the polyvinylpyrrolidone to be homogeneously dispersed in the adhesive.

Stirring is continued until a homogeneous mixture is obtained and, if necessary, the mixture is then degassed for about 30 minutes.

This final mixture is transferred into the feed hopper of a coating head which allows an amount of about 120±10 g/m² to be applied to a silicone polyester support. The support is dried by applying a temperature gradient of between 50° C. and 100° C. in order to evaporate off the manufacturing solvents and to allow the acrylic adhesive to crosslink. As a general rule, it is desirable to control this step fully, which contributes largely towards the quality of the finished product; according to said invention, this temperature gradient is associated with the possibility of varying the method of drying, by preferentially applying, in a first stage, a “strong jet of hot air” method and then, in a second stage, a “short infrared” method. At the end of drying, the adhesive matrix in dry form is laminated onto a polyester support film. The rolls thus obtained are then split into intermediate products of smaller width, which are themselves then cut to the desired size of the finished product. These finished products are then packaged either in sachets or in blister packs.

EXAMPLE 2 Preparation of a Patch According to the Invention

The process is performed in a similar manner to example 1, replacing the acrylic copolymer Duro-Tak 387–2052 with a self-crosslinking acrylic copolymer, in the form of a solution containing about 28% w/v of butyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, acrylic acid, 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate and, as crosslinking agent, aluminum acetylacetonate and t-amyl peroxypivalate, said “ready-to-use” adhesive copolymer having a glass transition temperature of −26° C. and being sold by the company National Starch & Chemical under the name Duro-Tak 87-2074®.

EXAMPLE 3 Preparation of a Patch According to the Invention

The process is performed in a similar manner to example 1, reducing the amount of the solvent for the active principle, i.e. an amount of N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide in the mixture before coating, of the order of 6%.

EXAMPLE 4 Preparation of a Patch According to the Invention

The process is performed in a manner similar to that of example 1, replacing the polyvinylpyrrolidone with another polymer, preferably sodium carboxymethyl-cellulose, sold under the name Carmellose® sodium by the company Aqualon.

EXAMPLE 5 Preparation of a Patch According to the Invention

The process is performed in a manner similar to that of example 1, replacing the polyvinylpyrrolidone with another polymer, preferably a xanthan gum, sold under the name Keltrol CR® by the company Kelco.

EXAMPLE 6 Preparation of a Patch According to the Invention

The process is performed in a manner similar to that of example 1, replacing the acrylic copolymer Duro-Tak 387-2052 with a non-self-crosslinking acrylic copolymer, in the form of a solution containing about 28% w/v of butyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, acrylic acid, 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, said “ready-to-use” adhesive copolymer having a glass transition temperature of −26° C. and being sold by the company National Starch & Chemical under the name Duro-Tak 87-2051®.

COUNTEREXAMPLE 1

The process is performed in a manner similar to that of example 2, adding to the active premix a permeation promoter in the form of 3% of sorbitan laurate (CAS No. 1338-39-2) sold by the company SEPPIC under the name Montane 20®.

COUNTEREXAMPLE 2

The process is performed in a manner similar to that of example 2, adding to the active premix a permeation promoter in the form of 3% soybean phospholipids sold by the company Lucas Meyer under the name Pro-Lipo 242B®, or by the company Nattermann under the name Phosal 50PG®.

COUNTEREXAMPLE 3

The process is performed in a manner similar to that of example 1, but the composition described does not contain any additional polymer derivative other than the adhesive.

COMPARATIVE DEVICE C1

This is the product sold by the company Alza under the brand name Testoderm CIII®. This matrix transdermal device for scrotal application is free of promoters and, consequently, is more particularly suitable for performing in vitro protocols intended to select the best permeation promoters of this active principle.

COMPARATIVE DEVICE C2

This is the device sold under the brand name Androderm 5 MG/DAY® by the company Theratech or of the version delivering only 2.5 mg/day. This reservoir device consists of an aqueous-alcoholic testosterone gel based on hydroxypropylcellulose, containing permeation promoters such as methyl laurate and glyceryl monooleate. The diffusing surface, consisting of a control membrane, is centered around a peripheral adhesive portion which allows the patch to be held on a nonscrotal application region.

COMPARATIVE DEVICE C3

This is the comparative device C2 but limited to the aqueous-alcoholic gel part containing the active principle, that is to say freed of the flow-control membrane and of the adhesive crown.

Several tests were necessary in the course of the development of the transdermal device according to the invention.

Studies for selecting the components of the adhesive matrix other than the actual adhesive are useful and involve solubility and in vitro permeation tests. To evaluate the solubilizing power of different components, solubility studies at saturation are performed.

The analysis in table I below makes it possible to identify several categories of products, namely:

-   -   products capable of dissolving large amounts of testosterone         (>20% m/m) which are also common cosolvents for adhesive acrylic         polymers, for instance ethanol and THF;     -   other products capable of dissolving amounts of between 4 and         15% m/m of testosterone and which are permeation promoters cited         for certain active principles including sorbitan esters or         N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide;     -   less advantageous products, for which the solubility of the         active principle does not exceed 4% m/m.

TABLE I Solubility at saturation of testosterone in: % m/m Cyclohexane 0.06 Methyl laurate 1.43 Polysorbate 80 2.62 Sorbitan laurate 4.12 Ethyl acetate 4.45 Lysophosphatidylcholine 6.96 Isopropanol 12.80 N,N-Diethyl-m-toluamide 13.95 Laurylpyrrolidone 15.90 Ethanol 22.12 Tetrahydrofuran 27.01

As regards the second category of products, it is more particularly advantageous to check their permeation-promoting effect with respect to the active principle according to the invention. Ex vivo studies of permeation on animal skin are carried out using a reference product whose kinetics constitute a “blank”, and then after initial pretreatment of the skin with the promoter compound. The ratio of the cumulative amount at 24 hours of the test relative to the “blank” gives the permeation index “PI” factor or “enhancement factor”. A permeation index of close to 1 means that the test product has no promoting effect for the active principle under consideration and under the operating conditions used. A classification is then possible according to the indications of table II below.

TABLE II Permeation index 2-Octyldodecanol 0.86 DEET 0.95 Methyl laurate 1.24 Propylene glycol myristate 2.81 Glyceryl monooleate 8.79 Lysophosphatidylchloline 9.18 Laurylpyrrolidone 11.27 Sorbitan laurate 11.70

Analysis of the data given in tables I and II allows the selection of the components of the adhesive matrix layer and more specifically that of the compounds that are both solvents for the testosterone and cosolvents for the adhesive acrylic polymer in combination with other solvents, for instance N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, which lacks any testosterone-promoting effect. This step thus made it possible to incorporate into a transdermal device of matrix type an amount of active principle close to that contained in the Androderm® patch reservoir comparative device C2, and greater than 0.5 mg/cm².

The yields of the devices according to the invention are generally determined from measurements of the amounts of hormones released in 24 hours on a model of skin ex vivo, either of animal origin or of human origin. In the first case, it involves quantifying the amount of testosterone released by a transdermal device with a surface area of 4.4 cm², placed on the surface of a sample of “nude” male mouse abdominal skin, in a static cell of “Franz” cell type, the receiving compartment of which contains 22 ml of a water (0.9% NaCl)-ethanol (75/25) receiving phase maintained at 32° C. Samples are taken from the receiving compartment at 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12 and 24 hours and an aliquot is then assayed by liquid chromatography. The tests are performed for a same test on 5 samples of skin and the results given in table III reflect the average amounts released expressed in the form of a flow (μg) per unit of surface area (cm²) and per unit of time (hour):

TABLE III Flow comparison (μg/cm²/hour) 0 2 h 3 h 4 h 6 h 8 h 9 h 12 h 24 h Ex 1 0 1.4 2.73 4.90 7.07 7.2 7.41 8.73 7.49 Ex 2 0 1.0 2.02 3.40 4.69 4.62 4.62 5.2 6.01 Counter 0 0.5 0.97 1.61 2.35 2.75 3.19 3.65 5.03 Ex 1 Comp 0 18.6 38 55.45 50.0 45.48 42.10 28.96 23.64 C2

These tests make it possible both to differentiate the release characteristics of various formulations of matrix type and to visualize the differences in kinetics with respect to another device of reservoir type. As a general rule, it is preferable to perform the same type of tests using human skin obtained from surgical biopsies. Specifically, the differences in inter-species skin permeability are known as not making it possible to predict with sufficient reliability the amounts which will be released in vivo from a single permeation test performed on animal skin. In this case, it involves quantifying the amount of testosterone released by a transdermal device with a surface area of 5 cm², applied to a sample of human skin with a surface area of 2.02 cm² obtained from cosmetic surgery, stored at −20° C., thawed at +4° C. and then dermatomed at 350 μm, in a static cell of “Franz” cell type, the receiving compartment of which contains 4 ml of an ultrapure water-ethanol (75/25) receiving phase maintained at 37° C. Samples are taken from the receiving compartment at 3, 6, 9, 12, 16, 20 and 24 hours and an aliquot is then assayed by liquid chromatography. The tests are performed for the same test on 5 samples of skin and 2 different donors; the results given in table IV reflect the average values obtained with regard to the amounts released expressed in the form of cumulative amounts for donor No. 1:

TABLE IV Comparative cumulative amounts μg/cm² 0 3 h 6 h 9 h 12 h 16 h 20 h 24 h Ex 1 0 5.99 23.49 46.05 74.2 103.47 123.78 148.68 Ex 2 0 1.96 9.75 18.22 33.24 49.07 64.56 81.83 Ex 3 0 7.19 16.96 30.09 47.64 64 78.46 91.85 Comp 0 6.0 26.32 52.23 78.88 118.14 156.77 197.29 C2

The results of table IV show that one of the formulations (example 1) according to the invention allows the release of amounts of testosterone at 24 hours that are greater than those released by the comparative device C2. Said comparative device is characterized by a surface area for active release of 15 cm², of which the product by the cumulative amount per cm² at 24 hours allows the amount which would theoretically be released in vivo to be calculated, i.e. 2.95 mg/24 hours. As regards the matrix device according to the invention, and more particularly the device described in example 1, the same product of the cumulative amount per cm² at 24 hours by a theoretical surface area of 40 cm² allows the amount which would theoretically be released in vivo to be calculated, i.e. 5.94 mg/24 hours. Given the actual surface areas of the devices (40 cm² for the formulations of examples 1 to 3, and 15 cm² for the comparative device C2), it is observed that larger amounts are released for the formulations of the present invention.

Finally, tests intended to characterize the in vitro release of testosterone from these devices were performed on the matrix devices according to the invention. These tests generally adapted from the recommendations of various pharmacopeias, including the US Pharmacopeia, are called dissolution tests. Each reactor of which the “rotating pallet” dissolution machine is composed is equipped with a watch glass onto which is placed the test device using a double-sided adhesive tape. A dissolution medium composed of water/ethanol mixture (90/10) is introduced into each reactor, heated to 37° C. and stirred at 50 rpm. Samples are taken, more particularly at times 30 min, 1, 4, and 8 hours, on which assays are performed by liquid chromatography. Table V below shows the average values obtained from 6 tests performed on the same sample.

TABLE V Comparative in vitro dissolution % 0 0.5 h 1 h 4 h 8 h Ex 1 0 23.30 36.30 73.90 91.10 Ex 2 0 16.30 26.90 57.50 76.30 Counter 0 16.50 27.60 58.90 77.80 Ex 1

This test essentially makes it possible to characterize the in vitro release with concern for routine monitoring of the matrix device. It is more particularly relevant to reveal identical trends between the dissolution profiles obtained in vitro and the permeation kinetics obtained ex vivo and presented in tables III and IV.

Finally, it is again found that the matrix transdermal devices according to the invention are remarkably well tolerated, according to the primary skin irritation tests, the results of which are given in table VI below, and which were carried out under the terms of the Journal Officiel de la Republique Francaise 1982.

TABLE VI Primary skin irritation index Classification Ex 1 1.7 slightly irritant Ex 2 2.0 slightly irritant Counterexample 1 1.6 slightly irritant Counterexample 3 3.0 irritant Comp C2 diffusing part 1.71 slightly irritant Comp C2 adhesive part 2.42 irritant

It is advantageously found that the devices according to the invention are at least as well tolerated as the product Androderm®. For the latter product, it is found that the adhesive periphery not containing any active principle is less well tolerated than the central diffusing surface. It is also found that the presence of the polyvinylpyrrolidone formulation adjuvant allows better skin tolerance of the composition as described in example 1. 

1. A self-adhesive transdermal device for administering testosterone and/or at least one derivative thereof, which comprises, successively, at least, one support layer, one self-adhesive matrix layer and one detachable protective layer, said adhesive matrix layer comprising, relative to the total weight of the matrix layer: a) 40% to 80% by weight of at least one self-adhesive polymer selected from acrylic polymers, with an acid number of between 10 and 70, with an acid functionality and a glass transition temperature of between −70° C. and −20° C.; b) 5% to 25% by weight of at least one formulation adjuvant for the matrix layer selected from polymers with a number-average molecular mass of between 2 500 and 3 000 000; c) 5% to 20% by weight of at least one solvent selected from the group consisting of solvents for testosterone and derivatives thereof, in which the solubility of the testosterone or derivative thereof is between 5% and 20% m/m; d) 2% to 10% by weight of testosterone and/or at least one derivative thereof, as a supersaturated solution, and wherein the matrix layer does not comprise a permeation promoter of testosterone.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the self-adhesive polymer is a polymer of a (meth)acrylic acid monomer and of at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of C1–C6 alkyl (meth)acrylate, 2-(C1–C6 alkyl)hexyl (meth)acrylate, vinyl acetate, glycidyl (meth)acrylate and 2-hydroxy (C1–C6 alkyl) (meth)acrylate monomers.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the self-adhesive polymer is a polymer of a (meth)acrylic acid monomer and of at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of methyl (meth)acrylate, butyl (meth)acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl (meth)acrylate, vinyl acetate, glycidyl (meth)acrylate and 2-hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylate monomers.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the matrix layer is crosslinked.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the self-adhesive polymer is crosslinked.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the matrix layer is not crosslinked.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein self-adhesive polymer is not crosslinked.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the formulation adjuvant is selected from the group consisting of polymers of 1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone monomer, polysaccharides and cellulose derivatives, and mixtures thereof.
 9. The device of claim 8, wherein the formulation adjuvant is selected from the group consisting of polyvinylpyrrolidone, xanthan gums and sodium carboxymethylcellulose, and mixtures thereof.
 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the solvent is a solvent for testosterone and/or its esters, selected from the group consisting of N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, 2-octyldodecanol, crotamiton and propylene glycol dipelargonate, and mixtures thereof.
 11. The device of claim 1, wherein the self-adhesive polymer is a polymer selected from acrylic acid, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, vinyl acetate and butyl acrylate monomers, this polymer being crosslinked and having an acid number of between 10 and 70 and also a glass transition temperature of between −100° C. and −10° C., the formulation adjuvant is polyvinylpyrrolidone with a number-average molecular mass of between 44 000 and 54 000, and the solvent is N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide.
 12. The device of claim 1, wherein the matrix layer comprises, relative to its total weight: a) 63% to 73% by weight of at least one self-adhesive polymer selected from acrylic acid, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, vinyl acetate and butyl acrylate monomers, this polymer being crosslinked and having an acid number of between 10 and 70 and also a glass transition temperature of between −100° C. and −10° C.; b) 5% to 25% by weight of polyvinylpyrrolidone with a number-average molecular mass of between 44 000 and 54 000; c) 9% to 15% by weight of N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide; d) 4% to 6% by weight of testosterone.
 13. The device of claim 1, wherein the matrix layer also comprises at least one antioxidant selected from butylhydroxytoluene (BHT), butylhydroxyanisole (BHA), ascorbyl palmitate, α-tocopherol and its esters, citric acid and propyl gallate, and mixtures thereof.
 14. The device of claim 13, wherein the antioxidant is present in the matrix layer, relative to the total weight of the matrix layer, in a proportion of between 0.1% and 2% by weight.
 15. A process for preparing the transdermal device of claim 1, which comprises the steps of: a) preparing, in a mixer, with stirring, a solution of testosterone or a derivative thereof in a first manufacturing solvent; b) incorporating, into the solution thus obtained, a second manufacturing solvent and also the solvent for testosterone or its derivative, which is intended to be present in the device; c) gradually incorporating, with stirring, in a separate mixer or homogenizer, the formulation adjuvant for the matrix layer into the self-adhesive polymer; and then d) incorporating the mixture obtained at the end of step b) into that obtained in step c) so as to obtain a final homogeneous mixture; and e) coating the homogeneous mixture thus obtained, at a temperature of between 50° C. and 110° C., onto a final polyester support or an antiadhesive temporary intermediate support, at a rate of from 50 to 150 g/m², this weight per unit area being measured on the dry film; f) drying the coating thus obtained, by gradual drying at a temperature of between 50° C. and 110° C., so as to evaporate the manufacturing solvents and, where appropriate, to allow the crosslinking of the adhesive polymer.
 16. The process of claim 15, wherein the solvent for testosterone or its derivative is N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET).
 17. The process of claim 15, wherein the formulation adjuvant for the matrix layer is polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP).
 18. The device of claim 1, which is a medicinal product which is therapeutically effective for testosterone replacement therapy.
 19. A method of treating a living animal body in need of testosterone replacement therapy comprising the use of the device of claim 1 for administering a medicinal product which is effective for such therapy.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the medicinal product is administered in a daily, weekly or twice-weekly testosterone replacement therapy.
 21. The method of claim 18, wherein the medicinal product is administered for treating hypogonadism.
 22. The method of claim 18, wherein the medicinal product is administered for treating andropause disorders.
 23. The method of claim 19, wherein the medicinal product is administered for treating sexual impotence.
 24. The method of claim 19, wherein the medicinal product is administered for treating fertility disorders in men.
 25. The method of claim 19, wherein the medicinal product is administered for treating oligospermy.
 26. The method of claim 19, wherein the medicinal product is administered for treating premature ejaculation. 